12/09/2007  Happy Valley  Race 6

When the gates opened, ROMANTIC GREEN, which was standing with its head turned to the right, was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, WINNING FELLOWSHIP was steadied when crowded for room between GOOD TO GO and SPEED FIGHTER. At the 600 Metres, KINGSTON WINNER was left racing without cover. At the 500 Metres, WINNING FELLOWSHIP was steadied and shifted to the outside of HANDSOME TARGET. When questioned, Apprentice K L Chui (MR COOL) explained in the early stages of the race there was an opportunity for him to shift to the rail after WINE WIN and DRAGON AND GOLD which had drawn to his inside went forward of him. He said he elected to remain racing in a position one off the fence initially following DRAGON AND GOLD and when that horse shifted to the rail at the 600 Metres, he remained positioning at its hindquarters. He said he remained away from the fence to ensure he had clear running in the Home Straight as he was concerned had he shifted to the fence in the early stages, he might be held up. Apprentice Chui was told to ensure he avails himself of advantageous positions when the opportunity exists. When questioned regarding his riding of HANDSOME TARGET, particularly in the Home Straight, G Boss explained the horse after losing ground at the start travelled in a rearward position. He said he niggled his horse along in the early stages in an endeavour to obtain a position on the fence in front of WINNING FELLOWSHIP. He said he obtained this position after the 600 Metres and followed TYCOON TAYLOR into the Home Straight. He said in the Home Straight he shifted to the inside of TYCOON TAYLOR, rode his mount along hands and heels and it responded to his riding. He said at the 150 Metres he hit HANDSOME TARGET with the whip and the horse in his opinion did not respond. He said he therefore continued to ride HANDSOME TARGET out hands and heels in the run to the line and the horse closed the race off strongly. Mr D J Hall, trainer of HANDSOME TARGET, confirmed it was anticipated the horse which was having its first race start in Hong Kong would travel in a rearward position. He said the intention was to ensure the horse was properly balanced around the turns as it was also having its first race start on a right-handed track. He added he instructed G Boss to ensure HANDSOME TARGET to finish the race off as strongly as it was able. G Boss was told his riding of HANDSOME TARGET in the Home Straight was of concern to the Stewards and he should ensure that his manner of riding does not give rise to questions being asked and he should ride his mounts in a manner which leaves no room for query. Mr Hall was also advised he should ensure that riders of horses trained by him fully test their mounts irrespective of circumstances. WINNING FELLOWSHIP and HANDSOME TARGET were sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, WINNING FELLOWSHIP was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, WINNING FELLOWSHIP will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of HANDSOME TARGET after the race did not show any significant findings. GOOD TO GO, WINE WIN and DRAGON AND GOLD were sent for sampling. Following the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that DRAGON AND GOLD was displaying signs of the "thumps". Before being allowed to race again, DRAGON AND GOLD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.